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Morenci Turquoise;   Arizona Mine,  Morenci,  Clifton-Morenci District,  Shannon Mountains,  Greenlee County,  Arizona,  USA.  An open pit copper mine located in the N1⁄2 Section 16, T4S, R29E (Clifton 15 minute topographic map), owned by Phelps Dodge Corp.  Map Reference: 33°5'26"N , 109°21'58"W.

Morenci turquoise was mined in southeastern Arizona until approximately 1990.  It is located very near the New Mexico border, and ranges in color from classic high electric blue to light azure.  Prehistoric Indians who valued the stone for its deep blue color were the first to discover the deposit.  These people adorned themselves with rough hewn beads and carved talisman made from the mineral

Morenci is often associated with an unusual black matrix of irregular iron pyrite, which looks metallic when polished.  Although they are rare, stones with unusual birds-eye patterns, red matrix and an occasional layer of silver have also been found.  The Morenci name is derived from the large open pit copper mine owned and operated by the Phelps Dodge Corporation.  Early examples of this striking turquoise were of the "lunch box" variety, meaning they were carried out of the mine by workers and miners.

Morenci is well known; it was one of the first types of American turquoise to find its way to the market and is always difficult to obtain because the mine was depleted so long ago. It is believed that the best Morenci ever produced was discovered in the late 1960's to early 70's.  During this time period, the mine produced a high, electric blue variety with iron pyrite inclusions.  Since Morenci  is no longer being mined, and because of its striking color and unusual  matrix combinations, high grade natural Morenci is a valuable, highly collectible mineral.

USGS;  Arizona.--In Arizona turquoise ranks first in terms of value of production and is also the best known of its gem materials.  Nearly all important deposits of turquoise are located near copper occurrences or in copper deposits in arid desert regions of the world. Thus, the world famous turquoise deposits associated with certain of the large Arizona copper deposits are to be expected.

Turquoise is, or has been, mined from a number of these copper mines as a byproduct, usually by outside contractors.  The financial and operating terms of the collecting contracts vary from mine to mine.  Some of the operations are little more than the efforts of individual commercial collectors; some are essentially full-scale mining operations that are simultaneous with, but separate from, the regular mining operations; and still others operate on an on-call basis as turquoise is uncovered by the regular copper mining operation. Regardless of the size or sophistication of the initial mining or recovery operation, the actual turquoise is recovered by careful extraction using hand methods.

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Blue Gem Turquoise

Blue Gem turquoise occurs in argillized quartz monzonite cut by two limonite-stained sheer zones, one trending N 35 o W and dipping 75 o NE, the other trending N, 25 o E and dipping 55 o NW. An extensive breccia zone about 10 feet wide is developed between the two bounding sheers. Exceptionally good quality turquoise forms veins up to three-quarters of an inch thick along the shears. Pyrite-bearing quartz veins are closely associated with the turquoise.

The Blue Gem mine was at one time located deep underground, accessed by tunnels as deep as 800 feet. This is of interest because the Blue Gem Mine and the Bisbee Mine in Arizona are the only two mines (of which we are aware) that turquoise was found that deep in the earth. The Blue Gem mine was once developed in extensive underground workings and open stoops. An audit several hundred feet long on the main structure connected to numerous shorter tunnels and several open stoops. Directly above the main audit was a glory hole some 100 feet long.

Duke Goff first noted the Blue Gem deposit in 1934. It was subsequently leased from the Copper Canyon Mining Co. by the American Gem Co. of San Gabriel, CA., owned by Doc Wilson and his sons, Del and William. The company operated the property until 1941 when the outbreak of the war caused a shortage of experienced miners. Both Del and William Wilson were called into the Army for the duration of the war, and this compelled the closing of the mine. Consequently, the lease was allowed to lapse and work was abandoned. In 1950 Lee Hand and Alvin Layton of Battle Mountain leased the mine.

Production of turquoise at the Blue Gem lease in the early days of the operation was enormous. Although there is no exact information, it is reported that the output amounted to nearly

$1 million in rough turquoise. The mine is still active, although Duval Corp is currently in the center of a major copper deposit developing it.

Pyrite in Blue Gem is unusual to see but not unheard of. Very little large material ever came out of Blue Gem, the majority found was small 1-mm "bleeder" veins and tiny nuggets which was perfect for Zuni inlay and fine needlepoint, petit-point and snake-eyes jewelry. Blue Gem turquoise was very popular in the late 1930's and 40's and was commonly used in the Fred Harvey "tourist jewelry" that is so collectable today. Blue Gem turquoise is extremely hard and stands up well to the test of time.

Blue Gem turquoise is a rare, valuable and historic American treasure. Quality Blue Gem Turquoise has been gifted with a wide range and variety of color. Because Blue Gem turquoise is very hard, a high polish is associated with this stone, and unlike most turquoise, won't easily change color. This turquoise has a unique character and many different looks all of which are striking, full of wonder and pleasing to the eye.

Production of the mine started about 1934 and continued into the 1970's. Blue Gem Turquoise is still some of the finest turquoise ever found, and unlike most turquoise mines, (in which the majority mined is chalky and only usable if stabilized) most of the turquoise found there was of gem-quality. Today the Blue Gem mine is not viable; it sits in the middle of a huge mining operation. The emphasis is on precious metals and the extraction of turquoise is considered more of a hindrance in the mining process rather than an asset. Even the ever-popular "Dump Diving" for turquoise through the overburden is not tolerated due to the very real danger of becoming buried in a slide. Insurance factors, equipment hazards, high explosives and safety issues along with a lack of interest from the mining company keep Blue Gem turquoise unavailable to the world, at least for now.

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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Morenci Turquoise;   Arizona Mine,  Morenci,  Clifton-Morenci District,  Shannon Mountains,  Greenlee County,  Arizona,  USA.  An open pit copper mine located in the N1⁄2 Section 16, T4S, R29E (Clifton 15 minute topographic map), owned by Phelps Dodge Corp.  Map Reference: 33°5'26"N , 109°21'58"W.

Morenci turquoise was mined in southeastern Arizona until approximately 1990.  It is located very near the New Mexico border, and ranges in color from classic high electric blue to light azure.  Prehistoric Indians who valued the stone for its deep blue color were the first to discover the deposit.  These people adorned themselves with rough hewn beads and carved talisman made from the mineral

Morenci is often associated with an unusual black matrix of irregular iron pyrite, which looks metallic when polished.  Although they are rare, stones with unusual birds-eye patterns, red matrix and an occasional layer of silver have also been found.  The Morenci name is derived from the large open pit copper mine owned and operated by the Phelps Dodge Corporation.  Early examples of this striking turquoise were of the "lunch box" variety, meaning they were carried out of the mine by workers and miners.

Morenci is well known; it was one of the first types of American turquoise to find its way to the market and is always difficult to obtain because the mine was depleted so long ago. It is believed that the best Morenci ever produced was discovered in the late 1960's to early 70's.  During this time period, the mine produced a high, electric blue variety with iron pyrite inclusions.  Since Morenci  is no longer being mined, and because of its striking color and unusual  matrix combinations, high grade natural Morenci is a valuable, highly collectible mineral.

USGS;  Arizona.--In Arizona turquoise ranks first in terms of value of production and is also the best known of its gem materials.  Nearly all important deposits of turquoise are located near copper occurrences or in copper deposits in arid desert regions of the world. Thus, the world famous turquoise deposits associated with certain of the large Arizona copper deposits are to be expected.

Turquoise is, or has been, mined from a number of these copper mines as a byproduct, usually by outside contractors.  The financial and operating terms of the collecting contracts vary from mine to mine.  Some of the operations are little more than the efforts of individual commercial collectors; some are essentially full-scale mining operations that are simultaneous with, but separate from, the regular mining operations; and still others operate on an on-call basis as turquoise is uncovered by the regular copper mining operation. Regardless of the size or sophistication of the initial mining or recovery operation, the actual turquoise is recovered by careful extraction using hand methods.

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Blue Gem Turquoise

Blue Gem turquoise occurs in argillized quartz monzonite cut by two limonite-stained sheer zones, one trending N 35 o W and dipping 75 o NE, the other trending N, 25 o E and dipping 55 o NW. An extensive breccia zone about 10 feet wide is developed between the two bounding sheers. Exceptionally good quality turquoise forms veins up to three-quarters of an inch thick along the shears. Pyrite-bearing quartz veins are closely associated with the turquoise.

The Blue Gem mine was at one time located deep underground, accessed by tunnels as deep as 800 feet. This is of interest because the Blue Gem Mine and the Bisbee Mine in Arizona are the only two mines (of which we are aware) that turquoise was found that deep in the earth. The Blue Gem mine was once developed in extensive underground workings and open stoops. An audit several hundred feet long on the main structure connected to numerous shorter tunnels and several open stoops. Directly above the main audit was a glory hole some 100 feet long.

Duke Goff first noted the Blue Gem deposit in 1934. It was subsequently leased from the Copper Canyon Mining Co. by the American Gem Co. of San Gabriel, CA., owned by Doc Wilson and his sons, Del and William. The company operated the property until 1941 when the outbreak of the war caused a shortage of experienced miners. Both Del and William Wilson were called into the Army for the duration of the war, and this compelled the closing of the mine. Consequently, the lease was allowed to lapse and work was abandoned. In 1950 Lee Hand and Alvin Layton of Battle Mountain leased the mine.

Production of turquoise at the Blue Gem lease in the early days of the operation was enormous. Although there is no exact information, it is reported that the output amounted to nearly

$1 million in rough turquoise. The mine is still active, although Duval Corp is currently in the center of a major copper deposit developing it.

Pyrite in Blue Gem is unusual to see but not unheard of. Very little large material ever came out of Blue Gem, the majority found was small 1-mm "bleeder" veins and tiny nuggets which was perfect for Zuni inlay and fine needlepoint, petit-point and snake-eyes jewelry. Blue Gem turquoise was very popular in the late 1930's and 40's and was commonly used in the Fred Harvey "tourist jewelry" that is so collectable today. Blue Gem turquoise is extremely hard and stands up well to the test of time.

Blue Gem turquoise is a rare, valuable and historic American treasure. Quality Blue Gem Turquoise has been gifted with a wide range and variety of color. Because Blue Gem turquoise is very hard, a high polish is associated with this stone, and unlike most turquoise, won't easily change color. This turquoise has a unique character and many different looks all of which are striking, full of wonder and pleasing to the eye.

Production of the mine started about 1934 and continued into the 1970's. Blue Gem Turquoise is still some of the finest turquoise ever found, and unlike most turquoise mines, (in which the majority mined is chalky and only usable if stabilized) most of the turquoise found there was of gem-quality. Today the Blue Gem mine is not viable; it sits in the middle of a huge mining operation. The emphasis is on precious metals and the extraction of turquoise is considered more of a hindrance in the mining process rather than an asset. Even the ever-popular "Dump Diving" for turquoise through the overburden is not tolerated due to the very real danger of becoming buried in a slide. Insurance factors, equipment hazards, high explosives and safety issues along with a lack of interest from the mining company keep Blue Gem turquoise unavailable to the world, at least for now.

Related legends:

Precious Stones Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend

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Pilot Mountain Turquoise

The Pilot Mountain turquoise mine is also known as Montezuma or Troy Springs.  The mining claim is actually made up of a group of small diggings located in Mineral County, west-central Nevada, at the southern end of the Pilot Mountains, just 14 miles east-southeast from Mina. 

In 1905 William Miller of Tonopah, Nevada discovered what he called the Montezuma.  The current owner, however, is headquartered in Manassa, Colorado.  The property was initially claimed as a copper mine, but it was soon discovered that particular mineral was in short supply.  High-grade turquoise, however, was plentiful.   Copper production ceased and the area was restructured for turquoise production. 

Pilot Mountain turquoise is hard, with colors ranging from a bright blue to dark blue with a greenish cast, and at times even an exceptionally dark blue. Strong deep brown limonite mottled patterns are associated with this stone. Pilot Mountain, though thinly veined, is a beautiful gem turquoise.  This Nevada mine is one of the gem locations, which became famous for its extremely rare dendrites (manganese plant fossil replacements).  The mine also produced some exceptionally high-grade spider web turquoise featuring interesting web matrix patterns that include red, brown and black tones. It is a hard stone, so it takes a high shine that retains color longer and is less resistant to skin oils.

Related legends:

Precious Stones Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend

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Candaleria Turquoise

From the flanks of Mt. Diablo comes a rare an unusual find. Candaleria, Nevada was once a boomtown for silver, gold and then copper. Now it is a scrapped out ghost town sitting on the edge of a vast hole in the ground. In the 1970's a good deal of high grade, natural turquoise was pulled from that pit; sent to Manassa, Colorado to be cut and polished; then sent around the country to be set in jewelry of all types.

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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Persian Turquoise

In the Southwest, we tend to take turquoise for granted; yet it has been labeled the “Gemstone of the Centuries”. Over 7,500 years ago, slave convoys were sent into the Sinai Peninsula to pluck pieces of the blue gem from the rocks where it had formed. In ancient Egypt, turquoise was believed to have mystical powers and appeared in amulets and talisman representing their gods Amum and Isis. A gold and carved turquoise bracelet was found on the mummified arm of Queen Zer, a ruler during the first dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs. The four bracelets found in her burial are the earliest known examples of precious metal jewelry.

The Middle East emerged as the great purveyor of turquoise, supplying the ancient Egyptians, Nubians, Greeks and Romans. It is believed the name was derived from the French word, Turquie, a reference to the Turkish traders first bringing the rich blue stones to the European continent. It was assumed that the brilliant blue and green stones originated in Turkey when, in fact, they were most likely extracted from mines in the Sinai Peninsula and the Alimersai Mountain in Persia (Iran).

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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Castle Dome Turquoise

Castle Dome turquoise is derived from the Globe-Miami mining district, Gila County, Arizona, five miles west of Miami. The Castle Dome open-pit copper mine, rests on the south slope of Porphyry Mountain.

Castle Dome Turquoise, CuO·3Al2O3·P2O5·H2O. --Is fairly widespread throughout the chalcocite zone and in the leached capping. A hard variety of gem quality occurs in small veinlets up to one-quarter inch thick and also in concretion-like masses up to one-half inch thick and several inches across. Its color ranges from sky-blue to bluish-green, the blue variety predominating. It is generally associated with clay minerals and sericite, which form selvages on the veins and masses and are commonly included in the turquoise. Seen under the microscope; it is a microcrystalline aggregate having a mean index of refraction of 1.62.

A few specimens of a light-green, iron-bearing copper aluminum phosphate were found occurring in the same manner as the hard blue turquoise. It is a microcrystalline aggregate whose mean index of refraction is 1.67. Charles Milton of the Geological Survey identified the mineral as a ferrian turquoise. He reports as follows:

Employees of the mine have been permitted to dig turquoise on days when they were not on duty, and dealers in Globe and Miami have purchased an amazingly large quantity of the mineral. Unfortunately no record is available as to the amount of turquoise produced, but undoubtedly the Castle Dome mine is one of the most important sources of gem turquoise at the present time.

Turquoise is generally conceded to be a supergene mineral, formed by the action of ground-water solutions, carrying copper and phosphate ions, on kaolin and possibly sericite. Various writers describe all stages in the alteration from copper-stained kaolin to hard blue turquoise; but it is not usually clear from the published descriptions whether the mineral is kaolinite or some other clay. Kaolinite is not a common mineral in the Castle Dome deposit, and its association with turquoise has not been noted; however, turquoise is commonly associated with beidellite, halloysite, and sericite. No evidence has yet been found suggesting that it forms from clay. The hard blue turquoise grades into the soft, white clay-like variety; but the index of refraction of all of it is near 1.62, which is much higher than that of any of the clays present. None of the material could be construed as being transitional between turquoise and the associated clay.

Although turquoise is most abundant in the upper part of the secondary sulfide zone, it is commonly found in deep fractures where chalcopyrite is only slightly replaced by chalcocite or not at all. If turquoise were formed by supergene solutions, the phosphate ion would have to be derived from either wavellite or apatite, which are the only earlier phosphate minerals. Wavellite is apparently dissolved by supergene solutions, but much turquoise occurs in parts of the mine where no wavellite has been recognized. In the Castle-an-Dinas mine in Cornwall, 15 wavellite spheres are commonly covered by minute botryoidal aggregates of bright-green turquoise, but no such association has been seen in the Castle Dome deposit. Most writers look to apatite as the probable source of phosphate ion even though admitting in some cases that the country rock contains very little apatite.

American Mineralogist. Volume 63, pages 574-582, PHOSPHATE MINERALS IN THE CASTLE DOME COPPER DEPOSIT, ARIZONA, N.P. Peterson, Abstract

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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Blue Gem or Emerald Valley Turquoise

Blue Gem turquoise occurs in argillized quartz monzonite cut by two limonite-stained sheer zones, one trending N 35 o W and dipping 75 o NE, the other trending N, 25 o E and dipping 55 o NW. An extensive breccia zone about 10 feet wide is developed between the two bounding sheers. Exceptionally good quality turquoise forms veins up to three-quarters of an inch thick along the shears. Pyrite-bearing quartz veins are closely associated with the turquoise.

The Blue Gem mine was at one time located deep underground, accessed by tunnels as deep as 800 feet. This is of interest because the Blue Gem Mine and the Bisbee Mine in Arizona are the only two mines (of which we are aware) that turquoise was found that deep in the earth. The Blue Gem mine was once developed in extensive underground workings and open stoops. An audit several hundred feet long on the main structure connected to numerous shorter tunnels and several open stoops. Directly above the main audit was a glory hole some 100 feet long.

Duke Goff first noted the Blue Gem deposit in 1934. It was subsequently leased from the Copper Canyon Mining Co. by the American Gem Co. of San Gabriel, CA., owned by Doc Wilson and his sons, Del and William. The company operated the property until 1941 when the outbreak of the war caused a shortage of experienced miners. Both Del and William Wilson were called into the Army for the duration of the war, and this compelled the closing of the mine. Consequently, the lease was allowed to lapse and work was abandoned. In 1950 Lee Hand and Alvin Layton of Battle Mountain leased the mine.

Production of turquoise at the Blue Gem lease in the early days of the operation was enormous. Although there is no exact information, it is reported that the output amounted to nearly

$1 million in rough turquoise. The mine is still active, although Duval Corp is currently in the center of a major copper deposit developing it.

Pyrite in Blue Gem is unusual to see but not unheard of. Very little large material ever came out of Blue Gem, the majority found was small 1-mm "bleeder" veins and tiny nuggets which was perfect for Zuni inlay and fine needlepoint, petit-point and snake-eyes jewelry. Blue Gem turquoise was very popular in the late 1930's and 40's and was commonly used in the Fred Harvey "tourist jewelry" that is so collectable today. Blue Gem turquoise is extremely hard and stands up well to the test of time.

Blue Gem turquoise is a rare, valuable and historic American treasure. Quality Blue Gem Turquoise has been gifted with a wide range and variety of color. Because Blue Gem turquoise is very hard, a high polish is associated with this stone, and unlike most turquoise, won't easily change color. This turquoise has a unique character and many different looks all of which are striking, full of wonder and pleasing to the eye.

Production of the mine started about 1934 and continued into the 1970's. Blue Gem Turquoise is still some of the finest turquoise ever found, and unlike most turquoise mines, (in which the majority mined is chalky and only usable if stabilized) most of the turquoise found there was of gem-quality. Today the Blue Gem mine is not viable; it sits in the middle of a huge mining operation. The emphasis is on precious metals and the extraction of turquoise is considered more of a hindrance in the mining process rather than an asset. Even the ever-popular "Dump Diving" for turquoise through the overburden is not tolerated due to the very real danger of becoming buried in a slide. Insurance factors, equipment hazards, high explosives and safety issues along with a lack of interest from the mining company keep Blue Gem turquoise unavailable to the world, at least for now.

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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Blue Gem Turquoise Cabochon

Blue Gem turquoise occurs in argillized quartz monzonite cut by two limonite-stained sheer zones, one trending N 35 o W and dipping 75 o NE, the other trending N, 25 o E and dipping 55 o NW. An extensive breccia zone about 10 feet wide is developed between the two bounding sheers. Exceptionally good quality turquoise forms veins up to three-quarters of an inch thick along the shears. Pyrite-bearing quartz veins are closely associated with the turquoise.

The Blue Gem mine was at one time located deep underground, accessed by tunnels as deep as 800 feet. This is of interest because the Blue Gem Mine and the Bisbee Mine in Arizona are the only two mines (of which we are aware) that turquoise was found that deep in the earth. The Blue Gem mine was once developed in extensive underground workings and open stoops. An audit several hundred feet long on the main structure connected to numerous shorter tunnels and several open stoops. Directly above the main audit was a glory hole some 100 feet long.

Duke Goff first noted the Blue Gem deposit in 1934. It was subsequently leased from the Copper Canyon Mining Co. by the American Gem Co. of San Gabriel, CA., owned by Doc Wilson and his sons, Del and William. The company operated the property until 1941 when the outbreak of the war caused a shortage of experienced miners. Both Del and William Wilson were called into the Army for the duration of the war, and this compelled the closing of the mine. Consequently, the lease was allowed to lapse and work was abandoned. In 1950 Lee Hand and Alvin Layton of Battle Mountain leased the mine.

Production of turquoise at the Blue Gem lease in the early days of the operation was enormous. Although there is no exact information, it is reported that the output amounted to nearly

$1 million in rough turquoise. The mine is still active, although Duval Corp is currently in the center of a major copper deposit developing it.

Pyrite in Blue Gem is unusual to see but not unheard of. Very little large material ever came out of Blue Gem, the majority found was small 1-mm "bleeder" veins and tiny nuggets which was perfect for Zuni inlay and fine needlepoint, petit-point and snake-eyes jewelry. Blue Gem turquoise was very popular in the late 1930's and 40's and was commonly used in the Fred Harvey "tourist jewelry" that is so collectable today. Blue Gem turquoise is extremely hard and stands up well to the test of time.

Blue Gem turquoise is a rare, valuable and historic American treasure. Quality Blue Gem Turquoise has been gifted with a wide range and variety of color. Because Blue Gem turquoise is very hard, a high polish is associated with this stone, and unlike most turquoise, won't easily change color. This turquoise has a unique character and many different looks all of which are striking, full of wonder and pleasing to the eye.

Production of the mine started about 1934 and continued into the 1970's. Blue Gem Turquoise is still some of the finest turquoise ever found, and unlike most turquoise mines, (in which the majority mined is chalky and only usable if stabilized) most of the turquoise found there was of gem-quality. Today the Blue Gem mine is not viable; it sits in the middle of a huge mining operation. The emphasis is on precious metals and the extraction of turquoise is considered more of a hindrance in the mining process rather than an asset. Even the ever-popular "Dump Diving" for turquoise through the overburden is not tolerated due to the very real danger of becoming buried in a slide. Insurance factors, equipment hazards, high explosives and safety issues along with a lack of interest from the mining company keep Blue Gem turquoise unavailable to the world, at least for now.

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

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We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every purchase.

Persian Turquoise

In the Southwest, we tend to take turquoise for granted; yet it has been labeled the “Gemstone of the Centuries”. Over 7,500 years ago, slave convoys were sent into the Sinai Peninsula to pluck pieces of the blue gem from the rocks where it had formed. In ancient Egypt, turquoise was believed to have mystical powers and appeared in amulets and talisman representing their gods Amum and Isis. A gold and carved turquoise bracelet was found on the mummified arm of Queen Zer, a ruler during the first dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs. The four bracelets found in her burial are the earliest known examples of precious metal jewelry.

The Middle East emerged as the great purveyor of turquoise, supplying the ancient Egyptians, Nubians, Greeks and Romans. It is believed the name was derived from the French word, Turquie, a reference to the Turkish traders first bringing the rich blue stones to the European continent. It was assumed that the brilliant blue and green stones originated in Turkey when, in fact, they were most likely extracted from mines in the Sinai Peninsula and the Alimersai Mountain in Persia (Iran).

Related legends:

Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend 

Certificate of Authenticity